Aug 22, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

Social Sciences, B.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Degrees and Programs

The Social Sciences major is a versatile degree that lends itself to success in a wide variety of careers in the fields of psychology, the criminal legal system, and social welfare, among others. Students will complete a core set of courses across the social sciences to establish skills in writing, research, and critical thinking. They will also select primary and secondary concentrations to dive deeper into specific areas of the social sciences, including psychology, criminal and legal studies, social welfare, and more. Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for careers and/or graduate education in law, psychological services, politics, and other areas that support the community.

Program Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: Knowledge Base

1.1   Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in and across the primary and secondary concentration

1.2   Explain the core content domains within the primary and secondary concentration

1.3   Describe applications of the primary and secondary concentration

Goal 2: Critical Thinking and Scientific Inquiry

2.1 Demonstrate information literacy

2.2 Apply innovative and integrative thinking to social scientific problems

2.3 Use scientific reasoning to interpret findings in the primary and secondary concentration

2.4 Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry

Goal 3: Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World

3.1 Employ ethical standards to evaluate science and practice in the primary and secondary concentration

3.2 Build and enhance interpersonal relationships

3.3 Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels

Goal 4: Communication

4.1 Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes

4.2 Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes

4.3 Interact effectively with others

Goal 5: Professional Development

5.1 Apply course content and skills to career goals

5.2 Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation

5.3 Expand project-management skills

5.4 Enhance teamwork capacity

5.5 Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation

General University Course Requirements


The following courses are required for all bachelor level degrees: 36-39 credits

Fine Arts: 3 credits


Any studio-based fine arts course (ART, MUS, DRMA), or ENG 206A , or ENG 206B  

Laboratory Science: 4 credits


Any laboratory science course except CHEM 105

Social Sciences: 3 credits


Any social science course (ECON, POSC, SOC, PSY)

Humanities: 3 credits


Any HIS course, ENG 200 PHIL 310W , or REL 320W  

Mathematics: 3-5 credits


Any college-level MATH course or SOC 220  

World Language: 3-4 credits


Any world language course

Technology: 3 credits


Any CPSC course or BADM 230 BIOL 482 ,  ENG 452 ENSC 321 ART 370 NURS 304 ED 343   

Primary concentration - Psychology


PSY 321W Social Psychology   and fifteen (15) additional upper-division credits in Psychology

Primary concentration - Criminal and Legal Studies


Eighteen (18) credits of upper-division courses in Criminal Justice and Political Science

Secondary concentration - Psychology


Fifteen (15) credits of upper-division courses in Psychology

Secondary concentration - Criminal and Legal Studies


Fifteen (15) credits of upper-division courses in Criminal Justice and Political Science

Secondary concentration - Social Welfare


Fifteen (15) credits of upper-division courses in Social Work and Sociology

Secondary concentration - History


Fifteen (15) credits of upper-division courses in History. Students will need to be advised that this concentration will require face-to-face courses.

Secondary concentration - Individualized


Fifteen (15) credits of upper-division courses in a unified area as decided with advisor

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Degrees and Programs